New year, same old teams

Bruins showing their defensive side/AP Images

Change is a good thing...Maybe someone should tell that to the NHL's Northeast division. 

By Meaghan McGrath

The Northeast division in the NHL this season has been surprisingly consistent, for the most part. The same players are scoring the goals, the same teams are winning the games, and the same injuries are occurring across the board. The start of 2012 brings the rankings from this past month, looking at how each team is over, or under, performing.

1. The Boston Bruins, despite the funk they are in, still remain numero dos in the NHL East and the top team in the Northeast division. After attending the ceremony at the White House, the B’s have been on a losing streak but still are 32-16, with 66 points to their name. Only the New York Rangers are ahead with 69 points.
2. The Ottawa Senators come in second in this division and still are within the top ten NHL eastern teams. The Senators have been above average this season with 27 wins and 20 losses and have 61 points. Their point differential is negative five, leaving much room for improvement.
3. The Toronto Maple Leafs are keeping it consistent, with third place in the northeast and ninth in the eastern division. They have won 26 games and lost 19, adding up to a total of 58 points. They are one of two teams in the northeast with a positive point differential, along with the Boston Bruins.
4. Buffalo Sabres have dropped to fourth in the division and one of the last in the eastern division, quite different than what they started with at the beginning of the season. Forty-eight points comes from 21 wins and 24 losses.
5. Montreal Canadians may be having another building year, being both the last team in this division and the second to last team overall in the eastern division of the NHL. Winning 19 games while losing 24 is one of the main reasons the Hab’s are not one of the teams to look out for in the post season.